Evaporator



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. A. MERRIAM EVAPORATOR.

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Attorney M Patented Dec 17, 1895.

WITNESSES AN 915W BYGRAHAM. PMGTD-UTNOWASH IN -TONv DVD.

(No ModeL) 1 3 Sheds-Sheet 2. H. A. MERRIAM.

. EVAPORATOR. w

No 551,732. Patented Dem-17, 1895.

WITNESSES (No Model.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

. H. A. MERRIAM.

EVAPORATOR.

N0. 551,732. Patented Dec. 17, 1895.

WITNESSES ANDREW B.GRMlAM. PHOTO LITHO.WA5HINGIUILD.C.

. line Z Z, Fig. 1.

7 parts.

UNITED STATES PATENT rFicE.

HORACE ARNOLD MERRIAM, OF LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA.

EVAPO RATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551 ,732, datedDecember 17, 1895. Application filed March 30, 1895. Serial No. 543,868.(No model.)

' Clara and State of California, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Evaporators; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to lettersof reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly diagrammatic, of the invention, theblower-case being in section and the side walls of the box broken v Fig.2 is a sectional view on Fig. 3 is a side elevation of modification withside of jacket and drivingshaft and eccentrics removed, side walls ofboxes being broken away in parts. Fig. 4 is a section online X X, Fig.3. Fig. 5 is aside elevation, partly diagrammatic, of secondmodification, blower-case and cold-water tank in section and side wallsof box broken away in Fig. 6 is a section on line Y Y of Fig. 5. Theobject of this invention is to provide an evaporator of simple andinexpensive construction which will be more effective in its operationthan those ordinarily in use, owing to the fact that the liquid thereinto be evaporated is kept in constant motion to continuously expose newsurfaces thereof to the evaporative agents, which act thereon both fromabove and below.

With this object in view the invention consists in the novelconstruction and combination of parts, all as hereinafter described, andpointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates a box ofeither wood or metal, which in a convenient size of the evaporator istwenty feet long, thirty inches wide and twelve inches high. Thesedimensions are, however, subject to such change as may be desired.Running the length of this box, midway the height thereof, and fastenedsecurely at each side is a pan B, made of copper or brass plate, andstifiened if necessary by suitable angle-irons or stiffeningstripssoldered or riveted to its under side. The

away in parts.

portion of the box A below this pan is closed at the bottom and at bothends, and constitutes the steam or hot-air chamber of the evaporator.The upper portion of the box, above the pan, is closed on top with asnug fitting but movable cover 0, but is left open at both ends. Thisportion of the box constitutes the air-chamber of the evaporator.

The box A is inclined in the direction of its length, suitable meansbeing provided, as indicated at a, for effecting an adjustment of theinclination.

It is essential to the invention that the box shall be supported in sucha manner that it will be capable of a swinging side-to-side motion, andthat means be employed for imparting such motion. There are various waysin which this may be accomplished; but I will describe but one way whichI have found to be very successful, reserving the right, however, toemploy such other means in lieu thereof as may be found more convenientor desirable.

In the drawings I have shown the supports as consisting of a series offlat wooden springs D, which are attached at their upper end portions tothe sides of the box and at their lower portions to the fioor or to asuitable bed or base, such springs being sufficiently flexible to permitthe box the necessary movement. To impart this motion I have shown ashaft E extending longitudinally of and below the box, being rotatablyjournaled in suitable supports F and having a driving-pulley G. On thisshaft are eccentrics I-I, fitted with straps I, connected to the box.

J designates a pipe which carries steam into the steam-chamber of theevaporator, being connected to the box by means of a flexible hose orother yielding coupling K. M designates a pipe for carrying off thewater of condensation.

L is the discharge at the lower end of the pan.

N is a blower case or chamber leading into the lower end of theair-chamber, and N indicates a fan or blower, theshaft of which may beconveniently driven by a belt N from a counter-shaft N driven from theshaft E, the several pulleys being of the proper diameter respectivelyto multiply the speed to the necessary extent.

ICO

O designates the feed-tank, which is sup ported above the upper portionof the pan at the most convenient point. P is a feedpipe which deliversthe liquid to the pan and which has a perforated arm P extendingtransversely across the upper portion of the pan.

In operation steam is admitted into the lower chamber, and air, hot orcold, to the upber chamber, and the shaft E rotated to impart a more orless rapid shaking side-to-side motion to the box and pan, which motionis however even and regular. The faucet of the feed-pipe is opened andthe liquid flows by gravity into the pan, where by reason of theinclination of the latter and the rapid mot-ion imparted it is kept inconstant action, flowing toward the lower end and continuously exposingnew surfaces to the evaporative agents-heat from the steam-heated panand dry air forced through the air box, which sweeps across the surfaceof the liquid, carrying with it the condensed vapors'perfectly andswiftly.

Theobject of the side-to-side motion is, as partially indicated above,tokeep the liquid in motion transversely across the pan, whereby itsflow over the pan is not only retarded somewhat, but itis kept inconstant agitation to continuously expose new surfaces to the action ofthe m aporative agents.

Inasmuch as evaporation takes place only atthe surface of a liquid, itis obvious that the. present invention exposes a maximum surface to beacted upon by the evaporative agents in a given time. Practical testshave proven this evaporator to be a perfect-filmevaporator, evaporationand concentration beingquickly eifected in the open air and withoutboiling or diseoloring.

In Figs. 3 and at I have shown the invention as adapted for use as avacuinn-evaporator forlargc sugar-houses. In this form a set or seriesof pans It are employed, one above another, and having each a shallowsteam or hot-air box R thereunder. These pans are all moved in unison byan eccentric S at each end and attached to a rod or bar S, fastened toall the boxes and evaporator plates or pans.

The whole is inclosed in a jacket or box T, and fed as in the form firstdescribed, being discharged by VflGLllllll-Pllll] ps. The heat and vaporis conveyed from the jacket or box through a vacuum-pipe having a valvet. T designates a discharge pipe and draw off cooks for removing thewater of condensation from the steam boxes or chambers.

I11 Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown the invention as adapted for use indistilleries for the evaporation of fermented liquids. For this purposetwo or more of the pans are used, one above another, with steam-pipeconnections, blower, and means for imparting movement to the pans andboxes, all substantially as before described, with such changes in thearrangement as may be desirable to suit the particular ease. The upperends of the air-compartments are closed by a box or hood U, with canvasor other flexible connection with a worm V. V is a condensing-tank forthe worm, which is filled with cold running water. The pan or blower isrun gently, just sufficient to carry the vapor from the pans into theworm, where it is quickly condensed and discharged from the outlet W,the air escaping from the pipe \V.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. An evaporator pan, a box in which saidpan is supported and having therein a steam or hot air chamberunderneath saidpan, and means for imparting a sidc-to-side movement tosaid box, substantially asspecified.

2. An evaporator pan, a box in which said pan is supported,and havingtherein a closed steam or hot air chamber underneath said pan, and anair chamber above the pan, laterally movable supports for said box, andmeans for imparting a side-to-sidc movement to said box, substantiallyas specified.

3. An evaporator, having an evaporating pan, a box inclined with the panin the direction of its length and having a closed steam or hot airchamber underneath the pan and an open-ended air chamber above the pan,laterally movable supports for said box, means for imparting aside-to-side motion thereto, a steam pipe flexibly connected thereto, ablower arranged to force air into said air chamber, and a feed pipe,substantially as specified.

l. In an evaporator, the combination with the elongated box having thepan fastened therein, and having a chamber above and below saidpan, ofthe series of laterally flexible supports for said box, a longitudinalrotatable shaft, eccentrics thereon, and straps fitted to saideccentrics and attached to said box, substantially as-speeified.

5. In an evaporator, the combination of two or more inclined pans, oneabove another,

a heating chamber underneath each pan, means for supplying heat thereto,and means for effecting a sidewise motion to said pans, substantially asspecified.

6. In. an evaporator, the combination of two or more inclined pans, oneabove another, a heating chamber underneath each pan, an air and vaporchamber or chambers above the pans, a fan or blower communicating withone end of said air and vapor chamber or chambers,a closed hoodcommunicating with the upper ends thereof, and having a flexibleconnection with a worm, and means for imparting sidewise motion to saidpans, substantially as specified.

7. In an evaporator, an elongated evaporator pan, and a box or casingwithin which said pan is supported.longitudinally, said box or casinghaving a closed heating chamber below the pan and an air chamber abovethe same, and means whereby a side to side above the pan an air chamber,and means for IO movement may be imparted to said pan, subimpartingmotion to said box or casing", substantially as specified. stantially asspecified.

8. In an evaporator, an elongated, inclined In testimony whereof I affixmy signature 5 pan, and a box or casing within which said in presence oftwo witnesses.

pan is supported longitudinally, said box or HORACE ARNOLD MERRIAM.casing being supported to oscillate or swing Witnesses: ina directiontransverse toits length, and A. L. WILLIAMS,

having below the pan a heating chamber and F. L. ALEXANDER.

